Projects will increase access to solar for low-income families, create new green jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in support of Climate Ready DC and Sustainable DC plan goals.

(DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA) July 21, 2017 – Today, the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) announced its intent to award $13.2 million in Solar for All DC Innovation & Expansion Grants to 10 applicants that responded to the Request for Applications (RFA) published by DOEE on February 10, 2017. DOEE issued two RFAs: one for low-income single-family homes, small businesses and owner-occupied nonprofits; and the other for multifamily, commercial and institutional buildings, and non-residential surface spaces. The goal of these grants is to implement activities in support of the Renewable Portfolio Standard Expansion Amendment Act of 2016, (the Act) which established the District of Columbia’s Solar for All Program (Solar for All). Funded by the Renewable Energy Development Fund (REDF), the Act is intended to increase the amount of energy to be consumed from renewable sources to 50% by 2032, expand solar capacity in the District to 5% by 2032, and provide the benefits of locally generated solar energy to low-income households, small businesses, nonprofits, and seniors. Specifically, the Act requires DOEE, through Solar for All, and to the extent possible, to reduce by at least 50% the electric or gas bills of at least 100,000 of the District’s low-income households by December 31, 2032.

Through the grants that will be awarded, DOEE will fund projects with the goals of: expanding solar energy in the District; providing the benefits of solar power to low-income District residents; and identifying innovative solutions to overcome core barriers to installing more solar energy systems in the District. One key requirement of the RFA was to provide 100% of the total energy generated by the newly installed solar energy systems, or the financial equivalent, to low-income District residents for at least 15 years. DOEE will incorporate successful strategies learned from these grant-funded projects for future phases of Solar for All implementation. DOEE intends to award grants to:

Community Power Network;

Groundswell, Inc.;

GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic;

New Partners Community Solar Corp.;

Urban Energy Advisors;

PEER Consultants, P.C.;

Neighborhood Solar Equity, LLC;

Open Market ESCO LLC;

Ethos Strategic Consulting, LLC; and

Community Preservation and Development Corporation

This $13.2 million will result in the deployment of 7 MW of solar generation capacity. The projects funded will provide opportunities for job training and employment, support local economic development, reduce the energy burdens and costs for low-income residents whether they own or rent, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as the District works to meet its climate goals. The grant period is 21 months from the date of the award; however, all solar energy systems must be completely installed and interconnected within eighteen (18) months of that date. The full list of grantees, project descriptions, intended grant award amounts, and projected capacity to be installed is attached below.